Well, here’s a new thing from the folks at ghs strings – 5 string feel on a 4 string bass. ghs has released a “BEAD” tuning set of roundwound bass strings in their bass boomers range (nickel-plated steel). They say:

Tuning a 4 String Bass BEAD (or, the lower 4 strings of a 5 string bass) is not a new development. However, players had to either purchase strings separately or a 5 string set and throw away the G string to be able to do this.

With the BEAD Tuned Bass Boomers® sets from GHS Strings, players can now buy the exact sets they want without the previous hassle.

Though they do come with a warning :):

WARNING: These sets are optimized for BEAD tuning on a 4 string bass. Do NOT attempt to tune these sets up to standard EADG tuning.

Yup! That would hurt! Anyway, if you are a 4 string bass player who is after that low B, and you are happy to let the high G go, you can order a set here.